The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened a fresh nationwide strike on August 14 if the Federal Ministry of Justice failed to withdraw the lawsuit filed against the organised labour.
President of NLC, Joe Ajaero who revealed this in Abuja after the National Executive Council meeting, told the FG to withdraw the contempt charge on or before the close of work on August 11.
The FG had on Wednesday went to court filing a contempt lawsuit against the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for protesting against fuel subsidy removal.
The Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Beatrice Jedy-Agba twice said the strike was illegal, adding that there was a subsisting court order stopping that NLC from going on strike.
In the suit marked NICN/ABJ/158/2023, the FG and the Attorney-General of the Federation are the applicants, while Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress are the defendants.
Aajero; NLC deputy presidents Audu Aruba, Prince Adeyanju Adewale, and Kabiru Sani; general secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja; TUC President, Festus Usifo; and scribe/ chief executive, Nuhu Toro were joined as respondents too.
Ajaero said, “NEC-in-Session resolved as follows: To support and affirm the decision to suspend further protest on the nationwide Mass Protest.
“To commit to maintaining the required vigilance needed to hold the government accountable on its assurances and governance in general. To commit to the terminal date of August 19th 2023 within which the issues around the Petroleum price hike will be agreed given the assurances of the President and the National Assembly.
“To go on a total strike across the country any day labour leaders are summoned to court by the government through the NICN.
To demand the immediate withdrawal of this litigious terrorism by the Federal Ministry of Justice before the end of work Friday, the 11th of August, 2023.
“To embark on a nationwide comprehensive strike beginning Monday 14th of August, 2023 if this contemptuous court summons is not withdrawn by whosoever initiated it,” he added.
